Cricket

Mallika Sagar, the renowned auctioneer with over two decades of experience, will once again preside over the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah. This marks a significant milestone for the IPL, as Sagar becomes the first female auctioneer to conduct the event for the second consecutive year.Prior to her involvement with the IPL, Sagar successfully conducted the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction and the eighth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Her expertise and professionalism have earned her widespread recognition in the sports auction industry.Ahead of the two-day mega auction, all IPL franchises are actively preparing to assemble their squads for the upcoming cycle. With retentions already completed, teams are conducting trials to finalize their potential shortlists. Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians have already held their trials, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Supergiants are expected to conduct theirs after the ongoing Ranji Trophy concludes on November 16.A total of 1574 players have registered for the IPL mega auction, and the list will be shortlisted before being presented to the ten teams in Jeddah. Each franchise can have a maximum of 25 players in their setup, and 204 slots will be up for grabs during the two-day event.Several high-profile Indian players, including Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, will be available in the auction pool. These players are expected to attract significant interest from teams seeking a captain or key players to bolster their squads.The IPL mega auction is a crucial event that shapes the composition of teams for the upcoming season. With Mallika Sagar at the helm, the auction promises to be a captivating and competitive affair, as franchises vie to secure the best talent available.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is set to join the team in Australia for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, according to his childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin. Shami has been out of action for over a year due to an Achilles injury but made a successful return to competitive cricket in Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.Shami's return is a major boost for India, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The veteran pacer has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests and has been a key member of India's fast-bowling attack in recent years.Former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Shami's return will strengthen India's pace attack and give them a better chance of winning the series. "If anything, I would have wanted a little more support for Jasprit (Bumrah) in the pace-bowling attack. So the quicker Mohammed Shami gets fit and is on a flight, I think it's better for India," Shastri said.Shami is expected to join the Indian team after the second Test in Adelaide. India need to win four of the five Tests in Australia to have a big shot at sealing their place in a third straight World Test Championship final.Shami has played a pivotal role in India's success in recent years, including their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19. He is a proven performer in Australian conditions and his return will be a major boost for India's chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has joined Karnali Yaks for the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). This move comes after Dhawan was released by Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the 2025 IPL mega-auction.Dhawan's decision to join Karnali Yaks marks a new chapter in his illustrious career. The 38-year-old announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket in August 2024, bringing an end to a remarkable journey that saw him represent India across all formats.In his international career, Dhawan was a prolific run-scorer, particularly in ODIs. He amassed 6,793 runs in 167 appearances, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. His average of 44.1 is a testament to his consistency and ability to score runs at a brisk pace.Dhawan also made significant contributions in Test and T20I cricket. In 34 Tests, he scored 2,315 runs at an average of 40.6, with seven centuries and five half-centuries. In 68 T20Is, he accumulated 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.At the domestic level, Dhawan played 122 First-Class matches and scored 8,499 runs at an average of 44.26. He notched up 25 centuries and 29 fifties, showcasing his ability to dominate bowlers in the longer format.Dhawan's experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to Karnali Yaks in the NPL. The franchise will be hoping that he can replicate his international success and help them make a strong impact in the tournament.

Indian cricket team batter Sarfaraz Khan has faced significant challenges during a practice session in Perth ahead of the first Test match against Australia, scheduled to commence on November 22. According to a report by The West Australian, Khan struggled to adapt to the conditions at the WACA ground, exhibiting difficulties in handling the bounce of the pitch.The report suggests that Khan appeared like a "batter who hasn't played outside of the subcontinent," as he faced issues with short balls and was prone to chopping deliveries outside his off-stump onto the wickets. This performance has raised concerns about his readiness for the upcoming Test series.Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Ian Healy has expressed his belief that the Indian team's decision to train behind closed doors in Perth could be detrimental to their morale. Healy argues that such privacy can create an unhappy touring squad, as it prevents players from embracing the experience and interacting with the Australian public and media.Healy suggests that India's approach is similar to what Australia used to do in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where they would isolate themselves from the local environment. However, he believes that this strategy is counterproductive and can lead to a less enjoyable tour.Healy acknowledges that India may have legitimate reasons for seeking privacy, such as the overwhelming attention they receive from fans and media. However, he emphasizes that social media has amplified the intensity of cricket in India, making it crucial for players to engage with the public and media to maintain a positive atmosphere during the tour.

Australia's Travis Head has sparked a friendly rivalry ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) by playfully assessing the attractiveness and cricketing prowess of India's players.When asked about the hottest Indian player, Head毫不犹豫地选择了印度队长Rohit Sharma。Head赞扬了Rohit的风格和能力，称他无论在场上还是场下都是完美的组合。"我认为他并不是那么英俊。也许[他需要做一些工作]。我认为有更性感的。我喜欢Rohit的工作，我很喜欢他的爸爸形象，我认为他在他们所有人中是最有风格的。他站在最前面，接受挑战，在比赛中双步走。两者[身体吸引力和板球技巧]，"Head在7 Cricket上说道。"我认为人们会[觉得他很有吸引力]。是的，我只是喜欢他做事的方式，是的，在棚子里。我很满意，我很满意他的设置。Jasprit，需要做一些工作。也许，在测试比赛之后[你传达了这一点]，"他补充道。备受期待的印度和澳大利亚之间的边境-加瓦斯卡奖杯将于11月22日拉开帷幕，第一场测试赛将在珀斯举行。第二场测试赛采用日夜赛形式，将于12月6日至10日在阿德莱德椭圆球场举行。随后，球迷们将把注意力转向12月14日至18日在布里斯班举行的第三场测试赛。传统的Boxing Day测试赛将于12月26日至30日在墨尔本标志性的墨尔本板球场举行，标志着该系列赛的倒数第二阶段。第五场也是最后一场测试赛将于1月3日至7日在悉尼板球场举行，为备受期待的系列赛带来激动人心的高潮。

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has canceled the planned trophy tour of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) areas of Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad. This decision follows objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the tour itinerary shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The PCB had announced a nationwide trophy tour from November 16 to 24, but the ICC has excluded the PoK areas. This decision comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding India's participation in the Champions Trophy after the ICC informed the PCB that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the matches.The ICC has also requested a written explanation from the BCCI over its decision not to send the Indian team to Pakistan. The BCCI had verbally informed the ICC of its decision, citing security concerns. The PCB has requested a copy of India's response, and if India fails to provide "proper reasons" for not traveling to Pakistan, they may be asked to participate in the tournament or face replacement.Pakistan is the defending champion of the Champions Trophy, and the PCB has revealed that the trophy tour will kick off from Islamabad on November 16. However, the uncertainty over India's participation and the tournament's schedule remains.Hosting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, with India playing its matches in a different country, is also being considered. However, the PCB chairman has denied any talks about such a format.Sources have reported that South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have emerged as possible venues for hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025 if Pakistan pulls out at the last moment. If the tournament is shifted, Pakistan could withdraw if the ICC moves it to a neutral venue.

The ICC Champions Trophy venue saga has taken a dramatic turn with India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Pakistan remains adamant about hosting the entire event in the country, while India insists on a hybrid model for its matches.The financial implications of an India-Pakistan match extend beyond the two nations, impacting the global cricketing ecosystem. The International Cricket Council (ICC) relies heavily on revenue generated from such high-profile events to distribute shares to its member boards.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes a hybrid model is the only viable solution to ensure India and Pakistan participate in the Champions Trophy. "If cricket is to continue and the hybrid model is to be maintained, place Pakistan in one pool and India in the other," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali criticized the notion that rivalries like India vs. Australia or The Ashes are comparable to India vs. Pakistan matches. "The world is foolish (duniya bewakoof hai) to say that The Ashes is amazing or that the India-Australia series is amazing; it's not like that," he asserted.Ali emphasized the financial significance of India-Pakistan matches for the survival of cricket. "As long as cricket is being played and Pakistan-India matches are happening, there will be money; otherwise, there won't be," he said.The ICC is facing a dilemma as it attempts to balance the demands of both India and Pakistan. A hybrid model would allow India to play its matches at a neutral venue, while Pakistan would host the remaining fixtures. However, such a compromise could potentially reduce revenue for the ICC and broadcasters.The outcome of the venue negotiations will have a significant impact on the future of the Champions Trophy and the broader cricketing landscape. The ICC must carefully consider the financial implications and the importance of India-Pakistan matches in maintaining the sport's global appeal.

Kurtis Patterson's resurgence as a first-class cricketer continued on Friday as he notched up his third consecutive half-century for New South Wales, helping the Blues extend their dominance over South Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash.Patterson, who was dropped from NSW's Shield side for most of last summer and feared his career was over, has seized the opportunity presented by Australia A duties depleting the Blues' batting lineup. His 71 on day two at Karen Rolton Oval followed scores of 91 and 66 earlier this month.With NSW already in a strong position, Patterson's innings helped them post a formidable 394, giving them a first-innings lead of 284. South Australia, in response, stumbled to 53 for 3 at stumps, still needing 231 runs to avoid batting again.Patterson's innings was a patient one, with the two-time Test representative taking his time to settle in before unleashing his trademark cover drives. He eventually fell to Brendan Doggett, but not before giving NSW a solid foundation.Patterson was one of four NSW players to pass 50 against the previously undefeated South Australians. Nic Maddinson (69) set the tone on the opening evening, while Oliver Davies (56) and Matthew Gilkes (55) also made significant contributions.Davies, in particular, was impressive, using his feet to take on spinner Lloyd Pope and hitting him for a six and two fours in quick succession.Nathan McAndrew was the pick of the South Australian bowlers, taking 4 for 90, while Doggett claimed 3 for 90. However, no South Australian bowler could match the heroics of NSW veteran Jackson Bird, who took 7 for 46 in the first innings to set up the Blues' dominance.

Sydney Thunder's Georgia Voll emerged as the hero in a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at the MCG, propelling her team back to the summit of the WBBL standings.Despite dropping five catches, Thunder's bowlers managed to restrict Scorchers to 170 for 5, with Beth Mooney leading the charge with a blistering 97 from 64 deliveries. However, Voll stole the show with an unbeaten 97 from 56 balls, guiding Thunder to victory with just one over remaining.Voll's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring 13 fours and a six. It surpassed her previous best of 92 against Adelaide Strikers earlier this month. The 21-year-old attributed her success to taking inspiration from Hobart Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee's recent record-breaking performances."I watched Lizelle Lee bat the other day and noticed that I've been trying to go a little bit hard too early," Voll said. "I sort of just took my time a little bit more and took the strike off Atha [Chamari Athapaththu] at the start there as well. It was just sort of lucky to come off."Voll's 64-run partnership with Heather Knight proved crucial for Thunder. Knight's dismissal by Amy Edgar gave Scorchers hope, but Voll remained unyielding, finding support from Anika Learoyd to guide her team home.Mooney's innings was equally impressive, despite the dropped catches. She was put down three times before reaching 20 and again after scoring a half-century. Sophie Devine also contributed with 44 runs, but her dismissal by Taneale Peschel and Mooney's lbw dismissal to Shabnim Ismail in the final over proved costly for Scorchers.Peschel finished with figures of 3-28, while Ismail claimed 1-32.